Urine infection treatments for AF sufferers

[WendyWu20]

Hi all, last year I suffered with a urine infection and in desperation went to the chemist and bought some sodium citrate (popular remedy for symptoms for cystitis). Within literally one minute of drinking it I was in full blown AF. After spending one of the worst nights of my life with AF and terrible cystitis pain, the next day my GP prescribed antibiotics and told me never to take sodium citrate again.

Well this week, I had a urine infection again. Living in Spain now, fortunately I had stashed away a box of potassium citrate which is an alternative alkalising solution. I sipped it tentatively....and bingo! Symptoms relieved and no AF!

So if anyone else gets cystitis/urine infection, I hope it works for you too :o)

I used sachets containing nasty stuff like artificial sweeteners... I think it will be even better if I get plain tablets or liquid, which I've seen on the tinternet.

[wilsond]

Thanks for the tip!get well soon xx

[meadfoot]

Good info ,thanks. Pleased you feel better. A life in Spain sounds wonderful which part of Spain are you in. Is the healthcare good there.

[WendyWu20 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi, I'm in the north near the south of France. The healthcare is good, (my retired mother has needed it several times). however I don't have access to it. This is because I can't get any health insurance (all companies have refused due to the AF), or access their national service because I can't get a Residency card - because I have no health insurance. Do I sound frustrated?? Sorry.

In the meantime my partner (who is still working in the UK, picks up my prescriptions for Apixaban and Flecainide and you can get antibiotics from chemists without a prescription. And if I'm really really ill I hope I can use my EHIC card. But then we have Brexit looming, so I have no idea what will happen then!!!

And now you wished you hadn't aked hehe :o)

[meadfoot in reply to WendyWu20]

Wow that's far from satisfactory for you health care wise. As you say can't imagine what brexit will bring in that respect. Best wishes and Spain is still a wonderful place I just love it.

[WendyWu20 in reply to meadfoot]

Yes! My mother and I live in the most beautiful village in the foothills of the Pyrenees, I walk for miles most days, listening to the sound of the cowbells and feeling like Heidi :o)

[meadfoot in reply to WendyWu20]

Lucky you, sounds idyllic. I live at the foothills of the derbyshire Peak District, lovely but I think your location trumps mine ten fold lol. Enjoy.

[Maggimunro in reply to WendyWu20]

Hi Wendy, thanks for that info re the bane of female life, cystitis.

A tip about insurance though, investigate a Nationwide Flexi account. I get annual travel insurance for myself and hubby for about £230 a year, plus loads of other benefits. Perhaps they do medical insurance too.

We have a place in Ceret, just over the borderinto France. Where are you?

[WendyWu20 in reply to Maggimunro]

I love Ceret! We once stayed in a beautiful apartment with balconies overlooking the main street not far from that amazing cake shop/cafe :o)

We're in Mieres, a few miles from lake Banyoles, which is stunning.

[Tapanac in reply to WendyWu20]

I’ve read a lot of notes from women on Apixaban and they wonder if it is the Apixaban causing the urine infections??????? Worth a thought and asking GP maybe. However glad you are better now and long may it last

[Jane722 in reply to Tapanac]

I was not aware of a possible link between Apixaban causing urinary infections. I suffered with them until I had the occlusion device implanted and stopped taking blood thinners.

[Luludean]

Strange coincidence,I thought I had cystitis last Friday, ( only had it once before) I went and bought those sachets ,hoping they would work. I was in agony all week end and felt SO ill! That is when I luckily got an appointment with the GP early Monday .I was in A-and E in 30 mins, by taxi. Then prioritised into cardiology. AF had one mad, B P so high! And high temperature. It was roaring Urine infection which had badly affected my heart. Never ignore what you think may be cystitis.

[Hugo40]

WendyWu.. Well I seem to have the symptoms. But there again I don't believe males get cystitis. Do you know if this is an AF bonus. I have recently been diagnosed with AF. Frequency of urination and the burn each time has surprised me as its the first time in my life. Suppose I must have a urine infection test.

thanks

hugo40

[Hidden in reply to Hugo40]

Anyone can get cystitis! See your GP ASAP.

[WendyWu20 in reply to Hugo40]

Yes, men can certainly get a urine infection, although it is less common than for women as the urinary tract is shorter in ladies. But it gets more common in men with age. If you only get symptoms when you have AF, I would still discuss with a doctor. Good luck :o)

[Maggimunro in reply to Hugo40]

When my hubby got cystitis he got a Hospital referral immediately. Our GP took it seriously because he is male. I had it on and off for years before I got a referral. He was ok, but I am now down to just one kidney.

[Auriculaire in reply to Hugo40]

Frequency of urination with large volumes voided is common with AF . I get this. I read somewhere it is due to a chemical that is released but cannot remember the name. But it should not burn.

[Alessa69 in reply to Auriculaire]

Interesting, I get the same problem with large volumes of urine voided when AF is around, P AF . It was only after diagnosis post ablation last year, that I made the connection. Saw that that someone had posted info on this subject last year(Sept/Oct) but I cannot find that info know. Can anyone shed more light on this please? Thank you in advance

[NannyChickens]

Antibiotics for me and a different one each time depending on result of urine test. However I have managed to forestall it sometimes by drinking large quantities of lemon barley (shop bought or home made). Also INR after 3 days on antibiotics as I am on Warfarin. Does not affect my AFib.

[Nickygarbett]

I take potassium citrate because the sachets make me want to throw.

When I tried to get some for a friend non of the chemists sold it so had to go back to my own and stock pile it

[WendyWu20 in reply to Nickygarbett]

You take tablets, which brand?

[Auriculaire]

D Mannose in combination with oregano oil capsules worked for me the last time I got a UTI. The d mannose helps to stop the bugs adhering to the bladder wall so they are flushed out with the urine but it only works for e.coli and is more effective as a preventative. The oregano oil is a natural antibiotic . I think it does probably damage the microbiome but not as much as the regular antibiotics. Never take Cipro . The risk of an adverse reaction is too great compared with the benefit. The EMA has changed it's guidelines to say that fluoroquinolones must not be prescribed for uncomplicated UTI anymore.

[JuliaJa]

I also take D-mannose, but without oregano. I get Now brand from Amazon. It comes in powder or caps. I try to take it once a week as a preventive. I’ve been taking it for years. I got c diff from too many antibiotics years ago.

[WendyWu20]

'Tapanac' commented on a possible relationship between Apixaban and urine infections. It is worth researching, because I have noticed that even though I've put myself on a half dose unless I have an AF episode, even if I get a tiny cut it just does not heal. So if my body is not healing on the outside, then there must be a corresponding process internally too?

I never has uring infections before I began taking Apixaban.

[nettecologne]

While I was on NOACs (several different ones) my bladder felt constantly slightly irritated. All the time as if an infection might be coming. Stopped when I stopped NOACs.